Book
Population dynamics and seasonal movements of translocated and resident greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), Sheeprock Sage-Grouse Management Area - 2016 Annual Report
(2017)
Abstract
2016 Annual Report. Sheeprock Sage-grouse Management Area (SGMA) greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) population declines in the past decade triggered additional management actions by the State of Utah, the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and the West Desert Adaptive Resource Management Local Working Group. To stabilize the population, multiple sage-grouse translocations of up to 40 birds per year during the 2016-2018 breeding seasons from two distinct, genetically-compatible populations located in Box Elder and on Parker Mountain have been proposed. The translocations will be conducted in-conjunction with a comprehensive habitat restoration and predation management program.
In 2016, 40 sage-grouse were radio-marked and translocated and 7 resident birds were captured and radio-marked in the SGMA. Radio-marked birds were monitored throughout the breeding season. Females initiated 5 nests - 4 translocated females and 1 resident female. Of those 5 nests, 3 hatched—2 translocated and 1 resident—with 16 chicks. Only two broods with 4 chicks successfully made it to the 50-day brood surveys. We recorded 15 translocated and 1 resident radio-marked sage-grouse mortalities. In 2017, we will be conducting standard surveys to obtain better estimates of mammalian and avian predator abundance during the breeding season in response to land use changes and predation management.
Based on preliminary sage-grouse movement and habitat-use data, we identified potential sites for management projects in three lek areas. Additionally, because of the low nest initiation rates for translocated females, we are exploring changes in translocation dates for 2017 and the use of artificial insemination for some translocated females to increase nest initiation rates.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2017
Publisher
Jack H. Berryman Institute, Utah State University
Citation Information
Terry A. Messmer. Population dynamics and seasonal movements of translocated and resident greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), Sheeprock Sage-Grouse Management Area - 2016 Annual Report. Logan, UT(2017) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/terry-messmer/503/